Italian Fascism

Essential Questions: Define the difference between authoritarianism, totalitarianism & fascism How did Mussolini’s fascist regime rule Italy? Why did the ideology of fascism appeal to many Italians?

A Definition of Fascism Fascism: is the totalitarian philosophy of government that glorifies the state and nation over the individual. A Fascist government is not a Communist government. Totalitarian State: is a form of government where a one-party dictatorship attempts to regulate every aspect of the lives of its citizens

The Fasces Symbol Comes from the Latin word fasces. In ancient Rome, the fasces were cylindrical bundles of wooden rods, tied tightly together around an axe. They symbolize unity and power.

The Characteristics of Fascism

1. Ideology A form of extreme right-wing ideology. Loyalty to the state replaced conflicting personal goals. Powerful and continuing nationalism. Constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, etc. Flags are seen everywhere.

2. Subordination to the State Fascism seeks forcibly to subordinate ALL aspects of society to its vision [usually through a totalitarian state]. It uses organized violence to suppress opposition. Glorification of force. Accepts the tenets of Social Darwinism. Is anti-democratic.

3. Cult of State Worship The individual had no significance except as a member of the state. The fascists were taught: Credere! [to believe] Obbedire! [to obey] Combattere! [to fight]

4. The Myth of Rebirth Emphasis on a national or racial rebirth after a period of decline or destruction. Calls for a “spiritual revolution” against signs of moral decay [such as individualism and materialism]. Seeks to purge “alien” forces and groups.

5. Militarism

6. Sexism Almost exclusively male-dominated. Traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion & homosexuality are suppressed. The state is the ultimate guardian of the family institution.

7. Identification of Enemies or Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe. This foe could be racial, ethnic, religious minority, liberals, communists, etc.

8. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights Because of the fear of enemies and the need for security, the people are persuaded that human rights can be ignored out of “need.” People look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, long incarcerations of prisoners, assassinations, etc.

Jews Are the Enemy!

9. Religion & Government Are Intertwined Fascist governments tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. They meld religious rhetoric, symbolism, mythology, etc., into their policies [appears to give religious support to government policies!]

10. Disdain for Intellectuals & for the Arts Open hostility to higher education and academia is promoted. Professors and other academics are censored or arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.

11. Rampant Cronyism & Corruption Fascist regimes are almost always governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions. This group uses governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. National resources and even treasures can be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

12. Fraudulent Elections Sometimes elections are a complete sham. Other times, elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates. The use of legislation to control who can vote.

13. Controlled Mass Media

14. Labor Power is Suppressed; Corporate Power is Protected Labor unions are suppressed or eliminated. The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist state often are the ones who put the government leaders into power. This creates a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite!

The Rise of Mussolini

Immediate Post-WW I Italy Fascism, to some extent, was a product of a general feeling of anxiety and fear among the middle class of post-war Italy: Fears regarding the economic depression. The rise of a militant left. A feeling of national shame and humiliation at Italy’s poor treatment by the Allies after World War I [especially at Versailles].

Immediate Post-WW I Italy In 1920 the Italian Socialist Party organized militant strikes Economic chaos in the north could spread to the rest of Italy! Hundreds of new fascist groups developed throughout Italy in response  “Black Shirts” [paramilitary squadriste] violently attacked the Socialists.

Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) Originally a Marxist. By 1909 he was convinced that a national rather than an international revolution was necessary. Edited the Italian Socialist Party newspaper. Avanti! [Forward!]. Becomes Nationalist

Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) Founded the newspaper Il Popolo d’Italia [The People of Italy] to encourage Italy to join the war.

Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) His editorial positions: The war was a turning point for Italy. The returning combat soldiers would form a new elite and bring about a new type of state. This new elite would transform Italian politics and society!

Mussolini Comes to Power 1921 election  Fascists win 35 seats October, 1922  Mussolini threatened a coup d’etat. “March on Rome”  25,000 Black Shirts staged demonstrations throughout the capital.

Mussolini Forms a Government King Victor Emmanuel III refused to sign a law giving the Italian military the ability to quell the chaos and arrest the Fascists. He invited Mussolini to join a coalition government as Prime Minister. 1925  Mussolini seized dictatorial powers during a political crisis [Black Shirts murdered one of Mussolini’s chief Socialist critics, Giacomo Matteotti].

The Fascists Consolidate Power (1925-1931) New laws passed to create the legal basis for Italy’s official transformation into a single-party state: Independent political parties & trade unions were abolished. Freedom of the press was curbed. Special courts created to persecute any political opposition. National police force created [with a secret police component].

The Lateran Accords (1929) This settled a long-running dispute over the Catholic Church’s role in Italian politics  Terms: The Papacy was granted temporal sovereignty over Vatican City. The Papacy was guaranteed the free exercise of Roman Catholicism as the sole state religion throughout Italy.

The Lateran Treaty

Italian Fascist Propaganda

The Fascists encouraged the development of large families. The Fascist Family The Fascists encouraged the development of large families.

Education The first sentence pronounced by children at school was Let us salute the flag in the Roman fashion; hail to Italy; hail to Mussolini. Textbooks emphasized: The glorious past of the ancient Romans. The imperial destiny that awaited Italy’s future development.

Emphasis on Physical Fitness

Anti-Semitism 50,000 Jews lived in Italy in the 1930s. Mussolini did NOT implement an extermination program in Italy. 75% of Italian Jews survived World War II. 8,000 died in German extermination camps. 1938 anti-Semitic laws passed Manifesto degli Scienziati Razzisti [The Manifesto of the Racist Scientists]. Excluded foreign Jews [most of them were sent to German death camps]. Forbade all Jews from teaching. Excluded Jews from serving in the government or in the military.

Gli Ebrei in Italia (1937) Attacked Jews for: Their alleged Zionist sympathies. Their championing of degenerate avante-garde cultural expressions. For their doubtful loyalty to the Fascist regime and its imperial claims.

Mussolini Was Hitler’s Role Model

The Appeal of Fascism Strong stable government National pride

Fascism Compared to Communism Communists=international change, classless society Fascists=national goals, society with classes Both=blind devotion to state, charismatic leader as embodiment of the state, use terror to guard power